Psychological Health and Safety
The nursing profession is highly demanding with many physical and psychological hazards, which can result in mental injury and/or impact mental well-being. It is an employer's responsibility to provide a physically and psychologically safe workplace that works to mitigate psychological hazards.
Mental Health Awareness Month
October Noon-Hour Events
BCNU is offering a series of Lunch and Learn sessions and Embodying Your Practice webinars throughout October. Come explore mental health topics like Difficult Conversations, Metabolizing Trauma, Somatic Metabolizing, Psychosocial Hazards, and the Psychological Injury Journey.
Visit our Events Calendar and register today.
- Oct. 3 12:00-1:00 p.m. Lunch and Learn: Difficult Conversations
- Oct. 10 12:00-1:00 p.m. Embodying Your Practice Webinar: Exploring Boundaries
- Oct. 17 12:00-1:00 p.m. Lunch and Learn: Creating Conscious Connections - Awareness in Movement
- Oct. 24 12:00-1:00 p.m. Embodying Your Practice Webinar: Cultivating Agency When Systems Fail Us
- Oct. 24 12:00-1:00 p.m. Lunch and Learn: Psycho-Social Hazards in the Workplace
- Oct. 31 12:00-1:00 p.m. Lunch and Learn: Psychological Injury Journey
Learn More about the Connection Between Mental Health and Workplace Safety
Mental health in the workplace isn’t just about individual well-being; it directly impacts safety and productivity. Psychosocial hazards like excessive workloads, lack of support, workplace bullying, and harassment contribute to stress, anxiety, and burnout. When workers are overwhelmed or mentally unwell, they are more likely to make mistakes, experience reduced focus, and have slower reaction times, leading to an increased risk of accidents.
Breaking the Stigma: Addressing Barriers in Psychological Injury Claims
The BC Nurses’ Union is committed to pushing for a more inclusive and equitable psychological injury claims process, one that acknowledges mental injuries as legitimate, treats them with the seriousness they deserve, and removes unnecessary roadblocks to getting help.
Identifying and Managing Psychosocial Hazards
Creating psychologically safe workplaces is essential for supporting our members’ well-being. Psychological health and safety is woven into nurses’ daily interactions, workplace culture, management practices, and the way decisions are made and communicated. By advocating to address these factors, we can build environments where members are respected, valued, and safe both physically and mentally.
Psychological and Social Support
- A workplace where co-workers and supervisors are supportive of one another’s psychological wellness and mental health concerns and respond appropriately when needed.
- Question to consider: Am I familiar with workplace mental health services?
Organizational Culture
- A workplace characterized by trust, honesty and fairness.
- Question to consider: Does your workplace foster an environment where you trust your leaders and colleagues to be honest and fair?
Clear Leadership and Expectations
- A workplace where there is effective leadership and support and all people know how they are contributing to the organizations goals, values and strategic direction.
- Question to consider: Does your supervisor provide feedback specific to your work tasks?
Respect
- Employees are respectful and considerate in their interactions with one another, as well as with patients, clients, families and members of the public.
- Question to consider: Are people being held accountable for their actions and behavior?
Psychological Demands
- Organization evaluates work systems and plans for work redesign and flow improvements. Jobs are assessed for psychological demands, risks are identified, and strategies are in place to mitigate the risks.
- Question to consider: Do you report psychological hazards as per the employer hazard reporting process?
Growth and Development
- Employees are encouraged and supported to develop interpersonal, emotional, and job skills.
- Question to consider: Do you feel that your workplace provides opportunities for you to grow and develop your skills?
Recognition and Reward
- Employer provides appropriate acknowledgement and appreciation of employee efforts in a fair and timely manner.
- Question to consider: Do you feel appreciated and recognized for your contributions in a way that is fair and timely?
Involvement and Influence
- Employees are included in discussions about how the work is done and are part of the decision making process.
- Question to consider: Do you feel included in decision-making processes that impact your work, and is the decision-making process transparent?
Workload Management
- Tasks and responsibilities can be accomplished successfully within the time available.
- Question to consider: Is your workload manageable within your scheduled work hours, allowing you to complete tasks without feeling overwhelmed?
Engagement
- Employees feel connected to their work and are energized by doing the job well.
- Question to consider: Do you feel a sense of purpose and energy from the work you do each day?
Balance
- The organization recognizes the need for balance of work demands, family and personal life.
- Question to consider: Does your employer encourage you to take breaks and take scheduled time away?
Psychological Protection
- The employer is committed to building a psychologically safe and healthy workplace and proactively assesses and mitigates risks.
- Question to consider: Do you feel that your employer actively works to create a psychologically safe environment where you can voice concerns without fear of retaliation?
Protection of Physical Safety
- Workers feel safe, have access to safety education, and are familiar with the safe work processes.
- Question to consider: Does your workplace investigate safety incidents, always looking for strategies to prevent reoccurrence?
Services to Support Members
NEW: Supplemental Mental Health Benefit
This benefit provides all members covered by the NBA collective agreement with access to an additional $5,000 lifetime amount to cover cost of a registered psychologist, registered social worker, and registered clinical counsellor, as well as internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT). Learn more.
BCNU regional mental health representatives. Contact yours via the BCNU Member Portal.
Illness and Disability Services
- Enhanced Disability Management Program (EDMP)
- Long Term Disability Benefits
- WorkSafeBC Compensation Benefits
Practice Support
Resources
- BCNU resources for activists and JOSHC members to strengthen physical and psychological health and safety in the workplace
Steward Resource Tool Kit (see section on Psychological Health and Safety)
NBA Supplemental Mental Health Benefit
Licensing, Education, Advocacy Practice Program
- Mental health tools, resources and supports from trusted government and Canadian agencies
HealthLinkBC: Mental Health
Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC
Canadian Mental Health Association: Wellness Programs
Care for Caregivers
Government of BC: Virtual Mental Health Supports
- More information about Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace (PHSW)
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
CSA Standard: Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace
Government of Canada: Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace
- WorkSafeBC
Managing Psychological Health and Safety
Psychological Health and Safety: A Framework for Success
- Popular Tooks for Evaluating PHSW
Guarding Minds at Work
An evidence-based resource designed to assess and address psychological health and safety in the workplace.
The Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ)
A comprehensive tool that evaluates psychosocial risk factors and promotes awareness and improvement of psychological work environments.